Black Bay 58. UK. viewed and passed on it...

[chrissieboy]

Had the opportunity today to try a 58 on leather. Loved it, really nicely proportioned, much nicer sized than my ETA noir. I found the gold fonts on the bezel surprisingly nice.

Passed because I really wanted it on bracelet.

Going to sell my ETA and hold out for the bracelet, going on eBay tomorrow.

Staff at Fraser Hart in Leeds very helpful and the lads are ace watch nerds!

[chrissieboy]

The deployment clasp was excellent too. Talked myself out of it, having second thoughts but I’ve left Leeds now. Hope the watch finds an enthusiastic new owner!

[JacksonStone]

I like the strap, but I'm concerned that it is on "backwards," with the overlapping end on the 6:00 side, facing the wearer, rather than facing away on the 12:00 side, as with most straps.

[Easy E]

Originally Posted by JacksonStone

I like the strap, but I'm concerned that it is on "backwards," with the overlapping end on the 6:00 side, facing the wearer, rather than facing away on the 12:00 side, as with most straps.

Seems like that should be fairly easy to fix.

[JacksonStone]

Originally Posted by Easy E

Seems like that should be fairly easy to fix.

Based on the design of the clasp, it would seem not. If you reverse the straps, then you reverse the clasp, so it opens backwards. I don't see any way to attach the strap to the watch and the clasp so that they both will be facing the "right" direction.

A tang buckle would be a solution, assuming (1) the strap will accommodate it, (2) Tudor makes a buckle that will fit the strap, and (3) Tudor will allow you to order one.

Edit: Somehow I missed Simon's post before I wrote this. I guess a buckle won't work on the strap. It's too bad, because the weathered brown strap is one of the things that attracted me to this watch.

[Easy E]

Originally Posted by JacksonStone

Based on the design of the clasp, it would seem not. If you reverse the straps, then you reverse the clasp, so it opens backwards. I don't see any way to attach the strap to the watch and the clasp so that they both will be facing the "right" direction.

A tang buckle would be a solution, assuming (1) the strap will accommodate it, (2) Tudor makes a buckle that will fit the strap, and (3) Tudor will allow you to order one.

Edit: Somehow I missed Simon's post before I wrote this. I guess a buckle won't work on the strap. It's too bad, because the weathered brown strap is one of the things that attracted me to this watch.

I have yet to see one in person, so forgive the ignorance, but will the dimensions support the use of the B.B. 41 size deployant clasp?

[JacksonStone]

Originally Posted by Easy E

I have yet to see one in person, so forgive the ignorance, but will the dimensions support the use of the B.B. 41 size deployant clasp?

I don't know, but that clasp appears to be designed the same way - still "backwards."

[Dmsizzle]

I have it on leather and love it.

[JacksonStone]

Originally Posted by Dmsizzle

I have it on leather and love it.

Am I right about the strap being backwards? I've only seen it in pictures (yours and others), but it's the kind of thing I'm afraid would put me off.

[etp]

Originally Posted by JacksonStone

Am I right about the strap being backwards? I've only seen it in pictures (yours and others), but it's the kind of thing I'm afraid would put me off.

I have the 58 on strap, and it is on correctly. Honestly, I'm not exactly sure what you are asking.

[JacksonStone]

Originally Posted by etp

I have the 58 on strap, and it is on correctly. Honestly, I'm not exactly sure what you are asking.

In this pic, the overlapping end of the strap is on the 6:00 side, which is the opposite of how most straps are worn, irrespective of whether they're on a deployant or tang buckle. Indeed, many deployants conceal the overlap entirely.

[etp]

Originally Posted by JacksonStone

In this pic, the overlapping end of the strap is on the 6:00 side, which is the opposite of how most straps are worn, irrespective of whether it's on a deployant or tang buckle. Indeed, many deployants conceal the overlap entirely.

Ah ok - my nato is the other way. That one in the photo is goofy

[Cru Jones]

Originally Posted by JacksonStone

In this pic, the overlapping end of the strap is on the 6:00 side, which is the opposite of how most straps are worn, irrespective of whether they're on a deployant or tang buckle. Indeed, many deployants conceal the overlap entirely.

On a dress watch, traditionally speaking, that’s the proper set up. Idea being that, when you check the time, others around you should see the nicer side of the strap instead of the tail end.

On a sports watch like the 58? No, it’s not the usual way.

[the_natural]

Tried on a 58 on a bracelet in Paris. Dig it, and the size is perfect imo, but I'm after a Grand Seiko first.

[DoctorA]

That’s s real beauty!

[accountank2000]

Quick snap of my Black Bay Heritage red on official Tudor leather strap; this is the original leather strap from whenever they started doing the BB (79220R) so I don't know if the new ones are different. The spare end sits below the 6 o'clock position, but it's reasonably intuitive to use.

[JacksonStone]

Originally Posted by accountank2000

Quick snap of my Black Bay Heritage red on official Tudor leather strap; this is the original leather strap from whenever that started doing the BB so I don't know if the new ones are different. The spare end sits below the 6 o'clock position, but it's reasonably intuitive to use.

Is that on a deployant?

[accountank2000]

Originally Posted by JacksonStone

Is that on a deployant?

Yes, the standard Tudor one.

[JacksonStone]

Originally Posted by accountank2000

Yes, the standard Tudor one.

Thanks. I think that explains it. The deployant is designed to thread the longer piece from the 12 o'clock side and have it wrap to the 6 o'clock side, which is the opposite of how most deployants work. Ironically, it's also the opposite of how Tudor mounts its own tang-buckle straps. Cf., BB Bronze.

[JacksonStone]

On the BB 58 leather strap, is there a notch on the short end that would allow for a tang buckle, or is it designed exclusively for use with the deployant?

[Brian Page]

This is interesting, thanks guys

[simon aus]

you could put a regular buckle on it, but the strap is short by design.
this allows a more comfortable fit of the deployment placement than others i have tried.
some deployments look comfortable but wear poorly.
the clasp is easy and natural to operate in this position.

i was initially after the bracelet but changed my mind.
i realised i already have way too many watches on bracelets i don't wear.

the size and weight without a bracelet is a pleasure to wear, so i changed my mind.

the deployment is quite clever in my opinion, as the strap excess is under the 6.
this gives a cleaner line to people looking at your watch and also the excess on the inside catches less on things like a normal strap - eg. desk edge, keyboard..

i removed it and run a buckle strap as it's even lighter again.
it is so light and comfortable to wear, with the even further reduced weight.

i may try a light rose gold buckle on an alligator for something more dressy later on.
or a custom strap made to fit the deployment.
the tudor brown does not suit my arm colour, but it is a quality strap, so i may have a leather maker change its tone or colour more to suit me.
for the moment it sits in the box.

hope the pics help others.
sorry for the average quality, i'm on my way out.

[JacksonStone]

Originally Posted by simon aus

the deployment is quite clever in my opinion, as the strap excess is under the 6.
this gives a cleaner line to people looking at your watch and also the excess on the inside catches less on things like a normal strap - eg. desk edge, keyboard..

Thanks for the information - very helpful. My feelings are the opposite of yours, though. The excess at 6 would annoy me, in part because I want the clean line on the side I look at. It's also not what I'm used to, so I would find it jarring - kind of like having my shoes on the wrong feet. I'm curious if Tudor market-tested this, and found enough people liked the design to justify using it.

To each his own, of course. I don't mean to crap on a watch you like. I was just trying to figure it out, because to me, it's a deal-breaker.

[simon aus]

Originally Posted by JacksonStone

Thanks for the information - very helpful. My feelings are the opposite of yours, though. The excess at 6 would annoy me, in part because I want the clean line on the side I look at. It's also not what I'm used to, so I would find it jarring - kind of like having my shoes on the wrong feet. I'm curious if Tudor market-tested this, and found enough people liked the design to justify using it.

To each his own, of course. I don't mean to crap on a watch you like. I was just trying to figure it out, because to me, it's a deal-breaker.

no stress by your opinion..
i understand what your saying as well.
i removed the deployment strap anyways.

i'm sure a custom made strap could reverse the fit, it just may take a while to get used to the clasp.

but i honestly don't really care what a "new" watch comes on nowadays.
i just look at the watch head itself.

bracelet, leather, nato, rubber..
those are essentially disposable / interchangeable items to me, that would never put me off a new watch.

i'm always trying to find a reason to buy a new watch, not an excuse not to..

[bdex75]

I like it on the NATO. That black with the stripe is incredible.


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[Stevec14]

The strap is exactly the same on the Tudor gmt. Spare bit at the 6 o’clock side. I tried reversing as thought it was just put on the wrong way, but could not get the clasp to close the other way round. It’s a bit odd, but actually once you get used to it it’s fine.

[terrywoods]

Originally Posted by chrissieboy

Had the opportunity today to try a 58 on leather. Loved it, really nicely proportioned, much nicer sized than my ETA noir. I found the gold fonts on the bezel surprisingly nice.

Passed because I really wanted it on bracelet.

Going to sell my ETA and hold out for the bracelet, going on eBay tomorrow.

Staff at Fraser Hart in Leeds very helpful and the lads are ace watch nerds!

Wonder if it’s sold now?

Have to admit the leather strap let’s the watch down, really want it on a bracelet now I have seen it

[fskywalker]

Nice watch, would also prefer to buy it on steel bracelet


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[simon aus]

had a bit of time to swap the deployment over to see how it sits on the aftermarket strap in the post above.
placed on both ways, i find it much the same to use once you get used to it.
i actually might peel the stickers off and keep it on.
thanks JacksonStone for the motivation to get it back out of the box.

i might be lucky with my wrist size, as it sits nearly the same in both directions on a stock strap.

i also realise ink is not for everyone, and this might explain why i don't wear a lot of bracelets. all that black ink pattern really pops a bracelet off the skin and the geometric ink sometimes makes it even harder to match to a bracelet.

how come the tattoo guy doesn't mention that to you when he is colouring you in.
if he had of said "this might clash with a jubilee" rather than "this is gonna take ages and cost you a fortune" i might have thought about it a more.

so here's a couple of pics i sent to a friend to highlight how much the brown of the dial and grain of the bezel insert radiates when it gets a bit of sun, compared to shade. the stock leather in my opinion could have been darker for me.
or perhaps it is fine for an ink free arm.

i really like it on the super dark brown, nearly black, no stitch at the moment.
i can change a strap, but it's a bit harder to change the ink..

[1William]

Cool watch but I understand wanting it on a bracelet.